Coin control apparatus



May 15, 1951 J. L. HAtJJFLAlRE com CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m M m l| 8 a a a4 1 ul. 0% 7 3 H%. (L Aw 4 WW 6 J a 5 a WW W 2 y w 4 w W Inventor Joseph L. Hauf/aire B) @169 y 15, 1951 J. HAUFLAIRE 2,552,675

com CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan 11, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4.

6 Inventor Joseph 1.. h'auf/aire y 15, 1951 4. L. HAUFLAIRE: 2,552,675

COIN 'co'NrrRor. APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1950 v 4 'Shets-Sheet 3 Inventor Joseph L. Hauf/aire WW 3m M y 15, 1951 J. L. HAUFLAIRE 2,552,675

com CONTROL APPARATU$ Filed Jan. 11, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 BO QHICKIE' FOR A D 3 I QM Inventor Joseph L. Hauf/air M may fiM Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES .E ATEN T OFFICE.

com CONTROL rPnaArns eseph Hauflaire, Chicago, Ill. Application January 11, 1950 Serial No. 133,054

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in coin control apparatus adapted to be used in connection with games:

Y An object of this invention is to urge obstructions or a single obstruction as a numberv or pins or a single pin in the path of traveler a game playing ball so that the pins or ebject to be struck by the ball will be protected until such time that the operator. of the device inserts acoin or coins in an appropriate coin receiving mechanism whereby through a combination electrical and mechanical function the obstruction is removed for a duration and the apparatus is rendered inoperative, thence, the electricalmechanical operation again takes place to operate. the obstruction so as to place it in the path of travel of the game ball.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent in following the description of the illustrated form ofthe invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a typical game employing the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2- 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on a horizon: tal plane through the device;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary. sectional view showing a part of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating particularly the cam microswitch operators together with the means of raising and lowering the obstruction;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-45 of Figure 5 and in the direction of the arrows; I

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram and a schematic mechanical diagram showing positions of elements when a coin is to be inserted into the coin receiving mechanism;

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram similar to that of Figure '7, however, the motor is now in motion as illustrated and parts appropriately. positioned are shownassuch; 5'

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram of the same mechanism but illustrative of the'conditions of the elements when the device is in the playing position;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a typical game device employing the invention and form ing a part of the invention; and

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view the structure of Figure 10 to illustrate the relative po: sitions of various elements of the'device.

The instant invention deals with a coin control apparatus and control mechanism for a plurality 2 Claims, (Cl. 161-1) of obstructions which are. adapted to be used in connection with a game. The game is played with a game apparatus generally indicated at Ii]; and consisting of a housing 12 withlegs It to sup:

I port the housing at an appropriate. elevation. A

vertically extending standard it; is, secured to the housing and may support a lamp is to illuminate the playing surface, the lamp 13 being optional. The main purpose of the support IE is to accommodate the cord 20 which has a ball 22; at the lower end thereof, the ball being of such length to allow an are or swing to contact the playing pins 24 whichsimulates bowling pins. It is recommended that a score board, generallyindicated at 26 be conveniently located as on a wall.

Referring now to Figure 4, a purely conventional coin box 28 is disposed in the housing supporting the track-way. 3!} having an equally conventional coin receiving apparatus including the sliding plate or. member 32.. Through the medium of this apparatus, the coin is received and deposited in the coin box 28 allowing inward movement of the plate 32 beyond a predetermined point, the coin being employed as a key. Appropriate means of access to the coin box is provided in the housing, as a door, removable panel or the like.

Reference. is now made to Figure 1 which shows a structurally assembled view. of the apparatus. A horizontal partition 34 forms a part of the housing I2 and has a platform 36 disposed thereon. This platform accommodates the pins 24 which are spaced from each other and arranged in rows. Obstructions in the form of. the, pins 31, 38 and 39 are passed through openings formed in the partition 34 and the platform 36. These pins serve a dual function, the first being to obstruct the ball 22 in its travel in the absence of coin op-- eration and the second is to form spots for the disposition of three pins 24 after a coin has been inserted to set in motion other mechanism.

A shelf 40. is suspended by means of bolts having sleeves 42 therearound, the bolts being fastened to the partition 34 see Figure 4).

Juxtaposed butspaced from the shelf 40 is a motor mount plate 46 which is suspended by means of support brackets 48, secured to the undersur'face' of the horizontal partition 34 The motor mount plate 46 and the shelf 40 could be supported by the bottom ofv the housing [2 if found desirable. However, with the described structure it is'only necessary to remove the parti tio'n 35, thereby'carr'ying with it most of the necessary structure, 'in event that repair or adjustment is necessary.

With the above basic mechanical elements involved, together with others to be described subsequently, the combination electrical and me chanical operation takes place in order to and lower the obstructions or pins 31, 38 and 33. Reference will now be made to Figures 7-9 for a discussion of this electrical and structural apparatus together with a description of the peration of the invention.

Generally speaking, the person playing the game inserts a coin for deposit in the coin box allowing inward movement of the coin control plate 32 beyond a predetermined point. Then, a motor is set into motion causing the obstruction pins 31, 38 and 39 to be lowered. While the pins are being lowered the participant places the playing pins 24 in the proper position on the platform 35. Then, the motor is rendered inoperative. The participant plays the game by causing the ball 22 to be operated in an arcuate travel. The attempt is obviously to knock the pins 24 to a down position. After a duration the motor is again. rendered operative causing the obstruction pins to be elevated thereby preventing further efficient operation of the playing ball 22. At this time, the electrical and structural apparatus is in condition for a second play by insertion of another coin. Figure 7 shows schematically the disposition of various me-- chanical elements and electrical elements when the assembly is in condition to receive a coin. An electrical conductor 59 extends from one side of a source and terminates in a contact of a normally open circuit breaker 52. Then, the conductor continues as at 54 for connection with a micro switch 56. However, interposed in this portion of the conductor is a timer switch 53 movable with a part of a purely conventional timer 60 which is preferably of the mechanical type, as a spring loaded member operating against a dash pot.

A line 62 extends from the conductor adjacent the source and terminates in a control switch 64 of conventional description. The line then continues as at 66 until it terminates at and in gonnection with the second motor micro switch The motor 10 is electrically connected with a shunt line 12, also connected with the other side of the source of current.

With this wiring and in the system described, the following is the operation. A coin is inserted, causing inward movement of the member :52. This member strikes the downturned leg 73 of a pivoted arm M (see Figure 3) which is carried by the pivot pin 16. Said pivot pin is disposed on the shelf 45. The arm M has a downturned ear 78 secured at the end thereof which engages the timer operator arm 80, rigidly fixed to the movable part of the timer 86, the stationary part being firmly secured to the shelf 46. Thus, when the coin control member 32 is urged inwardly, the arm M is operated by engagement of the downturned flange 13 with the inner end of the member 32 causing the timer (iii to be set. Operation of the arm 14 is opposed by the spring 84 which is secured at one end to said arm 1 and at the other end to a post 8'5 carried by the shelf 40.

While the timer is being set, the circuit breaker 52 is permitted to remain open since the timer operating arm 80 also operates the circuit breaker 52. Also, the control switch 64 which has its operating arm 38, is closed. Another condition existing is the movement of the timer switch 58 from the stationary post 92 whereby the inherent resiliency of the two contacts which are held together forming the timer switch 58 causes them to be spread, obviously opening the switch.

Now, the condition of the elements is that condition depicted in Figure 8. The motor it is rendered operative through the motor control switches 56 and 68, as in Figure 8 by the cams 96 and 98.

These cams are secured to the motor shaft so that operation of the motor causes operation of each cam. Resilient switch operating arms I93 and H12 are secured to the switches 55 and 68 and cam followers EM and its are carried by the arms.

Current being fed to the motor 16 through the first and second motor switches 55 and 68 respectively cause motor operation to appropriate parts of the wiring obviously traceable in Figures 7-9. The motor is caused to operate due to the rotation of the cams 9E and 98 an amount sufficient to lower the pins 3?, 38 and 39. At that moment, the motor iii ceases operation for a time, dependent upon the adjustment of the conventional timer Gil. When this duration lapses, the movable part 83 of the timer will have returned from the position of Figure 9 which shows the timer in such condition that the timer movable element as is slowly moving to a position for closing the normally open circuit breaker 52 and for closing the timer switch 53. When said circuit breaker and said timer switch arrive at the closed condition, the apparatus is again re-set or in the condition shown in Figure 7, awaiting another coin to be inserted for ultimate deposit in the coin box and for repetition of the described cycle.

In order that the above described operation be realized, certain of the switches must be properly disposed. It is obvious that the mechanical linkhas to be properly connected. As described, the arm i i and 8B are carried by the shelf and the arm has its depending flanges l3 and 653 in such position that they will be struck by the coin controlled operating member 32 and by the arm 81?. A depending lug HE! is disposed on the arm for contact with the control switch operator this control switch being carried also by the platform til and in the path of the arcuate travel of the timer control arm 83. The control switch Fi i being disposed on the undersurface of the shelf til, requires the slot H2 therein, through which the lug llii passes. The same provision is made for the circuit breaker 52, so rat its operator Ht may be engaged by the depending flange lib of said arm 85.

As to the motor 5%, it is so disposed with respect to the support bracket 18 that the micro switches or first and second motor control switches are carried by the support brackets whereby the cam followers iii-i and Hill are operatively connected with the cams on the motor shaft. An eccentric pin H8 is secured to one of the cams and a pitman i2?) is attached at one end thereto. The other end is attached to a plate I22 having the obstruction pins 37, 33 and E9 fixed thereto. Hence, operation of the motor causes raising and lowering of the obstruction pins.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. In a game which includes an obstruction preventing operation of the game, means for displacing said obstruction for a predetermined time so that the game may be played, said means comprising a motor with means drivingly connecting said motor and said obstruction, a timer, an arm secured to said timer to set said timer, a coin controlled operator for actuating said arm, a circuit breaker operated by said timer, a cam operated by said motor, a first motor switch connected with said cam, an electrical conductor extending from a source and secured to said first motor switch and having said timer switch interposed therein so that when aid timer is operated said motor is operated and said timer switch is opened, a second cam operated by said motor and a second motor switch operated thereby, a control switch arranged for operation by said coin controlled operator, and a line extending from said conductor and secured to said second motor switch so that when said coin controlled operator is actuated the timer is set, the control switch is closed energizing said motor through said second motor switch, said circuit breaker is opened, and said timer switch is opened.

2. In a game which includes an obstruction preventing operation of the game, means for displacing said obstruction for a predetermined time so that the game may be played, said means comprising a motor with means drivingly connecting said motor and said obstruction, a timer, an arm secured to said timer to set said timer, a coin controlled operator for actuating said arm, a circuit breaker operated by said timer, a cam operated by said motor, a first motor switch con- 30 nected with said cam, an electrical conductor extending from a source and secured to aid first motor switch and having said timer switch interposed therein so that when said timer is operated said motor is operated and said timer switch is opened, a second cam operated by said motor and a second motor switch operated thereby, a control switch arranged for operation by said coin controlled operator, and a line extending from said conductor and secured to said second motor switch so that when said coin controlled operator is actuated the timer is set, the control switch is closed energizing said motor through said second motor switch, said circuit breaker is opened, and said timer switch is opened, whereby when said motor operates both of said cams are actuated so that said first and second switches becomes closed and whereby further upon oper-- ation of said motor said second motor switch is opened while said first motor switch remains closed, and then when the timer has returned to the initial position, said second motor switch is again in the closed condition, said first motor switch is again in the open condition, the circuit breaker is closed and said timer switch is closed.

JOSEPH L. HAUFLAIRE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,909,131 Shonnard May 16, 1933 2,015,607 Shinn Sept. 24, 1935 2,290,626 Bosomworth July 21, 1942 

